Parking change OK’d

Sturgis City Commissioners on Wednesday approved a parking change on North Maple Street that would add at least one more space.

At the Aug. 22 meeting, commissioners heard from Michael Oxender, owner of 102 N. Maple St. His request was to change on-street parking within the 100 block of North Maple from the east to the west side of the street. Several neighbors were opposed.

In an attempt to keep everyone satisfied, the city commission approved three parking spaces for the west side of the street adjacent to 102 N. Maple. Starting at 103 N. Maple, the parking spaces would return to the current configuration on the east side of the street.

Oxender agreed that would be a reasonable compromise.

In another action, commissioners adopted a memorandum of understanding for a shared grant position with St. Joseph County and the city of Three Rivers.

The city will be responsible for 15 percent of salary and other costs including benefits, operating expenses and unemployment expenses. St. Joseph County would be responsible for 70 percent while the city of Three Rivers would pay the remaining 15 percent.

Other St. Joseph County municipalities will be able to opt into the agreement and would be responsible for five percent of the costs of a grant writer.

Commissioners also granted for an evangelic event/concert from 1-7 p.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The event is being sponsored by La Vina Centro de Adoracion of Sturgis.